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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What color beads does Ten Snow use on the item for her husband?

2. What does Nokomis say speaks to her?

3. With what does Nokomis paint Omakayas' face?

4. How does the person in #140 put out the fire on his pants?

5. Whom does Omakayas listen to while he/she talks in his/her sleep?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the author explore the relationship between whites and natives in this section?

2. What is in Nokomis' bundle that she says speaks to her?

3. Why is Nokomis' story of a little muskrat especially pertinent for Omakayas?

4. What happens to Omakayas after the smallpox deaths, and who is the one who is able to help her?

5. How does Ten Snow help Omakayas get started in beadwork and what does Omakayas make?

6. Why does Omakayas go off on her own while the family is tapping the maple trees?

7. How does Omakayas help pinch when he burns himself with boiling syrup?

8. What is Nokomis' advice to Omakayas regarding the bears?

9. What does Omakayas witness as she comes to after being knocked unconscious by Tallow's dog?

10. Explain how Deydey acts on a dream that Nokomis has about One Horn.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author uses more than one iteration on the theme of responsibility. Identify at least two instances about responsibility in the book and then cite examples to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the overall setting for the story. Why does the author use the setting she does? What is the time period of the story? How important is the time period to the attitudes and issues of the characters?

Essay Topic 3

THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE is a classic example of historical fiction. What does that classification entail? Why does this book fit into this category?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,089 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample